Bill > HB247

This bill amends Mississippi's hate crime statutes to expand the list of protected characteristics that can trigger enhanced criminal penalties. Specifically, the bill adds "disability," "sexual orientation," and "gender identity" to the existing categories of race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, national origin, and gender. Under the revised law, if a criminal offense is committed against a victim specifically because of their membership in one of these expanded protected classes, the perpetrator can face enhanced sentencing. The enhanced penalties can include imprisonment for up to twice the standard term for the underlying offense, a fine up to twice the standard amount, or both. To impose these enhanced penalties, a jury must find beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant specifically targeted the victim because of their actual or perceived membership in a protected class and did so with malicious intent. The bill maintains existing provisions related to offenses targeting law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, providing time for legal systems and law enforcement to prepare for the expanded hate crime provisions.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0247.xml